George Demarais

Deadly force

The incident began when George Demarais called 911 and stated that he intended to commit "suicide by cop." He did not answer repeated telephone calls to his home, and when police responded to his home, he did not answer the door. He was then seen walking out of his house carrying a long gun. He refused to communicate with the police, and walked into a heavily wooded area behind his house. Four Middlebury Police Department officers attempted to set up a perimeter around the house by entering the woods behind it. Two of the officers made contact with Demarais. Covey ordered him to show his hands, and Demarais fired a weapon at Covey. Both officers returned fire, and Demarais was killed.